Chapter 342 He Was Thankful

Bell turned in Galen’s arms, nestling her face against his chest. They had both taken a short nap after he had spent the morning making sure she knew all the details, every last one.

She smiled as she thought of how he had carried her up the stairs and how forceful yet gentle he had been with her. Even though he acted like a possessive caveman, he gave in to her every whim and desire.

Bell didn’t know at what point Caleb and Ashleigh had left, but she was sure it was somewhere between rounds two and three. Either way, she knew they were definitely gone now.

Her fingernails gently traced over his well-earned pectorals, drawing little figure eights as she watched the rise and fall of his chest.

She considered getting up, grabbing a shower, and getting dressed. All those necessary everyday things. But she was so comfortable, warm, and almost entirely satisfied curled against this man. Besides, she had done all those things earlier. So it wasn’t her fault that Galen had reset the whole process.

Bell smiled and turned her lips to his skin, gently brushing a kiss to those pectoral muscles she enjoyed so much.

Her anatomy lessons would have been far more interesting if he had been around for her to explore back then.

“Pectoralis major…” she whispered as she trailed soft kisses along his chest.

She propped herself onto her elbow and continued along the muscle line to his shoulder.

“Deltoid…”

Her lips trailed along the smooth skin at the top of his shoulder, clear of any markings.

“Trapezius…” she whispered against his skin.

“What are you doing?” Galen whispered sleepily..

“Anatomy refresher…” Bell whispered, kissing against his throat.

Galen let out a soft growl.

“Careful…” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and turning to look at her. “Education is sexy… If you keep this up, I might just need to give you my own lesson.”

“Oh, yea?” Bell smiled, biting her lower lip as she gazed into his sleepy green eyes already pooling with desire.

Bell moved her hand down his clavicle, stopping at the top of his sternum. She leaned forward, kissing his throat just below his jaw. Her fingers traced up along the muscle of his neck that connected to his sternum.

“Sternocleidomastoid…” she whispered with a flick of her tongue against his throat.

“That’s it,” Galen said as he let out a low growl and flipped her onto her back. He took his place above her, staring down with hungry eyes.

Bell grinned up at him.

“What kind of lesson are you going to teach me?” she asked in a husky voice.

Galen leaned forward, his mouth hovering just above hers, close enough that she felt the heat of his breath but just out of reach of her lips that ached to kiss him.

“Let’s learn about how our bodies work together,” he whispered, lining himself up with her.

Galen pushed into her, just enough to make her gasp and lick her lips. He felt her roll her hips up to him, wanting to take more of him in. He smiled and pulled away just a little.

Bell let out a soft pout.

“It’s learning time, Bell,” he whispered, “we can’t just skip to the end.”

He pushed in a little more and then pulled back. Drawing soft sounds of both pleasure and protest from her.

“Galen,” she called. Her voice was sweet and thick.

“Yes, my love?” he smiled. Enjoying the look of need she wore.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Galen knew there was in trick in this game she was playing. But the truth was, he loved all of her games and all of her antics. Just like this morning, she knew exactly what would happen if she made those jokes to Caleb and Ashleigh, and that was why she did it.

“Of course,” he smiled and leaned forward, so their lips connected.

The kiss started sweet and then deepened. Galen had difficulty resisting the urge to thrust into her entirely, but then came the trick.

Bell wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her tightly, locking him in place with the fire of her kiss as she rolled her hips up, and their bodies became one.

Galen felt a rush of excitement and pleasure as he proceeded to thrust in and out, over and over. Their panting and moaning joined together as in sync as their bodies until they reached the height of their shared passion and screamed their release.

As they lay together, recovering from the morning of lovemaking and torturous games. Galen looked at Bell in awe. She was brilliant in more ways than one. Her heart was guarded, but it didn’t stop her from being one of the most caring people he had ever met. Her wit was always sharp, and her smile was always his.

He had always believed she was among the most beautiful women he had ever met. Still, pregnancy had only increased his attraction to her. No one in this world could make him feel the way that she could. Every single day he spent with her was another he was thankful for.

Bell turned and looked up at him with eyes of innocence and mischief.

“Wanna go again?” she smiled.

Galen sighed and laughed.

This woman.

She would be the death of him, but what a way to go.

***

“Seriously?” Galen sighed.

“But it’s so good… please!” Bell pouted playfully, holding the sheet to her chest.

Galen was already pulling his shirt on.

“You’re such a good husband,” Bell said sweetly.

Bell smiled and began to crawl toward him at the edge of the bed. The sheet fell away to reveal her naked body. She stood up on her knees and put her arms over his shoulders. She leaned forward and bit her lower lip.

“How did I get so lucky?” she whispered naughtily.

Galen closed his eyes, taking a deep, cleansing breath.

“Bell…” he whispered, “I can only satisfy one of your cravings right now….”

Bell giggled but didn’t move.

“So, either I am getting undressed again, and we are staying in this room until you can’t move,” he said. His voice was already taking on the low tones that sent ripples of energy through her system.

“Hmm…” she smiled. “Or?”

“Or,” he sighed. “I can go get you your pickles wrapped in prosciutto, chile fruit cups, and–”

“Mmmm, venison chili with sour cream and relish! Yes, that! Please. Go.”

Bell smiled brightly, and Galen couldn’t help but laugh. He looked down at her, admiring her body with a lingering glance.

“Go…” she whispered with a giggle.

Giving her a quick kiss, he hurried out of the room.

Bell curled up in bed and waited for his return.

Having Galen home with her had not been what she had expected. In truth, under the circumstances, she had been afraid of him coming to live with her.

Afraid that every conversation, and interaction, would center around the fear of Roman appearing and trying to take her away.

But Galen knew her better than anyone in her entire life ever had. He knew when to ask and when not to.

They had talked when he first got back. He had asked a few questions, but he didn’t press for more information about who exactly Roman was or what he had done to her.

He had spent most of his time working on the defense system. There had been problems and delays. He had sent others in his place because he wasn’t willing to leave her overnight to work on the fence along the southern border.

Bell was sure that she would continue working until the day Ren was born. But after Galen moved in, she found it hard to leave. So finally, she gave in to her desire to be close to and comforted by him.

Galen often said that her pregnancy cravings were why they usually ended up in bed together throughout the day and night. Still, the truth was that she simply craved him. It had nothing to do with the pregnancy, just him.

Bell smiled to herself. She already missed him. Hopping out of bed, she quickly dressed and headed out the door.

Hurrying between the buildings, she giggled as she imagined the little half-cocked grin he would get when she surprised him at the tavern.

But everything changed in an instant.

She was suddenly overwhelmed by a familiar and horrifying feeling. The sickly-sweet scent churned her stomach and knocked the air from her lungs. It sent a chill down her spine and made her heart pound so loudly in her ears that she felt like they would burst.

Bell couldn’t move, she couldn’t breathe… he was here. He was in Winter, and he was staring right at her.